Machine for handling packages.



E. L. BRACY.. MACHINE FOR HANDLING PACKAGES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29. I916.

lNVENTOR .ZZBralyj A/Wm A TTOR/VE) Patented Jan. 14, 1919.

9 SHEETS-SHEET] a il O O R xwv WITNESSES:

E. L. BRACY MACHINE FOR HANDLING PACKAGES. APPLlCATlON FILED MAY 29. 1916.

Patented Jan. 14,1919.

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BY k W770 ATTORNEY/ W/ TN E 8858: W

E. L. BRACY. MACHINE FOR HANDLING PACKAGES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY29,I916- Patented Jan. 14,1919.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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L R A A A A A., M A Q N& w AA 0 L MN 0 MN A Q o o o o o o o o o c o o wk N A b\ MN A AU W WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY E. L. BRACY.

MACHINE FOR HANDLING PACKAGES.

APPLICATION men MAY 29. 1916.

1,290,888. Patented Jan. 14,1919.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 4- W/TNESSES: NVENTOR ZZZz aifi Z .Brac; W W

A TTORN Y E. L. BRACY.

MACHINE FOR HANDLING PACKAGES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY29I l9l6.

Patented Jan. 14, 1919.

9 SHtETS-SHEET 5.

I I I II? A II \w\w mqv g I A \x av 8. AIM... 5 INN w -I \x A R I mu I R .II I I- I I k\ II, 0 M w NJ Y NV QN N INVENTOR Mward Z. Bra%( ATTORNEY WITNESSES:

E. L. BRACY.

MACHINE FOR HANDLING PACKAGES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29. 1916.

Patented Jan. 14,1919.

9 SHEETSSHEET 6 WITNESSES: MW

E. L. BRACY.

MACHINE FOR HANDLING PACKAGES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29. 1916.

Patented Jan. 14, 1919.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

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//VVENTOR Edward I Brac% fiw ATTORNEY E. L. BRACY.

MACHINE FOR HANDLING PACKAGES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29. 1916.

1,290,888. Patented Jan. 14, 1919.

9 SHEETSS HEET 8.

W/TNESSES: INVENTYOR Z W Edward. Z. Bracy,

WW W I/U A TTORNE Y E. L. BRACY.

MACHINE FOR HANDLING PACKAGES.

AFPLICAHON FiLED MAY 29. 1916.

Patented Jan H, 1919.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 9 l/VVE/VTOR wardliflragq Y m AT'OP/VEY l l IN- ill W/ T/VESSES:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD L. BRACY, OF SCOTLAND NECK, NORTH CAROLINA, ASSIGNOR TO RICHARD H. WRIGHT, OF DURHAM, N ORTH CAROLINA.

MACHINE FOR HANDLING PACKAGES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 14, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD L. BRAGY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Scotland Neck, in the county of Halifax and State of North Carolina, have invented new and useful Improvements in Machines for Handling Packages, is a specification.

My present invention relates to improvements in mechanisms for handling packages or other receptacles to facilitate the performance of different operations thereon. It is particularly applicable to a machine for applying stamps, labels or the like to packages or receptacles, an example of such a machine to which the present invention is particularly applicable being shown and described in the patent of Louis Fischer, No. 1,188,747, granted June 27, 1916.

The objects of the invention are, primarily, to provide improved means for automatically feeding packages or receptacles successively into the pockets of a conveyer whereby the packages or receptacles are presented in proper position and supported in correct form in relation tothe stamp or label-applying and afiixing mechanisms; to provide means for automatically and successively transferring the packages or receptacles to a carrier or second conveyer which latter may for example, conduct the stamped or labe ed packages or receptacles in proper position past devices which insure permanent adherence of the stamps or labels to the packages or receptacles; and to provide means for automatically removing the packages .or receptacles from the carrier or second conveyer and for collecting or assembling them so as to facilitate the packing thereof in cartons or other suitable shipping receptacles.

To theseand other ends, the invention consists in certain improvements, and combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will be hereinafter more .fully' described, the novel features being pointed out particularly in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the accompanying drawings of which the following Figure 1 is a top plan view of a portion of a package-handling mechanism constructed in accordance with one embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 represents a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view in section of a portion of the mechanism showing one end of the packa e-receiving conveyer and the mechanism or feeding packages thereto.

Fig. 4 is an end view of the structure shown in Fig. 3, as viewed from the right.

Fig. 5 is a top lan view of the magazine for the packageeeding mechanism shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Fig. 6 represents a section on the line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an elevation, partly in section, of the package-feeding mechanism as shown in Fig. 6 and as viewed from the right thereof.

Fig.8 represents a section on the line 88 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view showing the form of package adapted to be handled by a feeding device constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 10 represents a sectionon the line 10-10 of Fig. 1 and looking toward the right in that figure.

Fig. 11 represents a section on the .line l111, Fig. 10, and looking toward the right.

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 are detail views showing the device for turnin the receptacles from an upright to a reclining or horizontal position.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged detail view in section showing the device which receives the packages from the carrier or second conveyer and introduces them into a runway where the packages are collected or assembled preparatory to packing or shipping.

Fig. 16 represents a section on the line 16-16 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a detail view of the device which receives the packages from the carrier or second conveyer and introduces them into the collecting runway.

Fig. 18. is a detail sectional view taken on the line 1818 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 19 is an end elevation, partly in section, of another embodiment of the invention adapted to handle a different type of package.

Fig. 20 is an elevation, partly in section, of the mechanism shown in Fig. 19 and as viewed from theright.

Fig. 21 is a top plan view of a modified type of magazine for the packages.

Fig. 22 represents a section through the magazine on the line 2222 of Fig. 21, the

device for feeding the packages from the magazine being also shown in this figure.

Fig. 28 represents a transverse section on the line 23-23 of Fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is an elevation, partly in section, of the structure shown in Fig. 22.

Fig. 25 is a view showing the discharge end of the conveyer, together with the means for removing the packages from the package holders on the conveyer.

Fig. 26 is a detail enlarged view of the device for removing the packages from the holders on the conveyer.

Fig. 27 shows the package-removing device as viewed from the left in Fig. 26.

Fig. 28 is a top plan view of the package removing device as viewed from above in Fig. 26, the conveyer and the package holder thereon being shown in section.

Fig. 29 is a detail view of the stamp or label-affixing brushes.

Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in the several views.

The present invention is applicable generally to machines adapted to perform different operations upon packages of different kinds, it relating particularly to machines adapted to apply and affix stamps or labels to packages. The invention is shown in its two preferred embodiments in thedrawings, and these embodiments of the invention will be hereinafter described in detail. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not restricted to the particular use to which it is shown applied in the present instance, and also that the invention is not limited to the two embodiments shown, as other uses may be made of the invention as will be obvious to those skilled in this art and equivalent constructions may be used, but such equivalent constructions are contemplated and will be included within the scope of the claims.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1-18 inclusive, the invention is shown adapted to handle packages of the type shown in Fig. 9, the package comprising a body a to contain any suitable material such, for example, as tobacco, the top I) of the package. may be closed by suitable folding of the margins of the sides and ends, and the bottom 0 of the package is closed and has ears d projecting" from the corners thereof, these ears resulting from the expansion of the body of the ackage to receive its contents. The packages, may be filled and their tops closed by any suitable mechanism, or these operations might be performed by hand, the machine shown in the present instance'being adapted to receive the packages after they have been filled and their tops closed.

The present invention provides a-magazine to receive the filled packages. This magazine is shown in detail in Figs. 5-8 in clusive, it comprising a pair of vertical side members 1 and 2 which form a chamber 3 between them to receive a stack of the packages, the packages lying on their flat sides and one upon another. Flanges 4 and 5 project inwardly from the side members of the magazine and cooperate with the closed tops of the packages to: retain them in the magazine. The magazine also means for receiving the ears cl of the packages, which ears initially project diver: gently from the bottoms of the packages, and for bending these ears uniformly into positions in parallelism or in substantial alinement with the sides of the packages. To this end, flanges 6 and 7 are provided on the magazine in position to cooperate with the ears d of the packages, the side members 1 and 2 of the magazine being recessed toward the tops thereof, as indicated at 8 and 9, to accommodate the ears of the packages which, as stated, initially project divergently, and the flanges 6 and 7 have convergent portions 10, and 11 at their tops, which convergent portions merge into parallel portions 12 and 13: These convergent portions 10 and.11 of the flanges 6 and 7 serve to en gage any ears of the packages which may happen to be bent under the bottom of the package or otherwise misshaped, and as the package descends in the magazine, such deflected or misshaped ear is bent outwardly or into parallelism with the res ective side of the package. The recesses 8 and 9 in the side members of the magazine merge into parallel side walls 14 and-15, and as the packages descend, the divergent or outwardly projecting ears on the packages are bent inwardly or into parallelism with the respective sides of thepackages. In the lower portion of the magazine, the flanges 6 and 7 are parallel with the inner walls 14 and 15 of the magazine, parallel walled channels being thus provided to cooperate with the ears of the packages and to thus maintain these ears in pro er form, as shown by the section, Fig. 8. These flanges just described arenot, however, indispensable, and may be omitted, if desired.

The magazine rests upon a base 16 which is suitably fixed to the frame 17 of the machine, and suitable means is provided for successively removing the packages from the magazine and introducing the packages into holders or pockets carried by a conveyer. The conveyer in this embodiment of the invention is similar to that shown and described in the patent above referred to, it comprising an endless chain 17 which passes over a pair of sprocket wheels 18 and 19, the sprocket wheel 18 being fixed to a driving shaft 20 which is provided with any suitable means for imparting an intermittent or step-by-step motion thereto to aid Vance the conveyer in the direction indicated provides after described.

rection toward and from the member 21,

and this member 23 is adapted to confine the flat side of the package opposite to the flat side thereof WhlCh is confined by the mem. ber 21. The bottom section 22 of the member 21 is preferably recessed at its ends to accommodate the downwardly projecting ears at of the packages. .Movement of the member 23 in a direction away from the member 21 is effected automatically by the bending of the conveyer chain around the respective sprockets whereby the members of each package holder will be relatively separated or opened at the time each holder is to receive a package, and thereafter the Qmembers of each package holder will" be held in closed position as to firmly. retain and. confine the packages by means herein- Each holder, as shown, is open at the two narrow sides and the top in order to expose the two narrow sides and the top of each receptacle and thus permit a stamp or label-to be applied to the top and the two narrow sides of the package. Any suitable means may be provided for applying a stamp or label to each package, the patent hereinbefore referred to showing and describing mechanism suitable. for the purpose. During the application of a stamp or label to the package, the pressure on the package incident to'thisfoperationis sustained at the bottom andthe two flatsides of the package by the members 21 and 23, this being particularly desirable where a relatively soft package is being handled. The stamp-applyingmechanism is not shown in the present application, but it may, asstated, he of any'suitable type, and it may be of the type shown in the patent above referred to, the conveyer being advanced step-by-step or intermittently by the driving shaft 20 whereby the packages in the holders on the conveyers will .be advanced successively relatively to the stamp or label-applying devices The means for relatively closing the members 21 and 23 of the package holders comprises a rail 25 which is preferably stationary and supported on the frame 17, the pivoted member 23 ofeach package holder having an arm 26 which carries a roller or projection 27 which is adapted to travel on the rail 25. The rail extends parallel with the upper stretch of the conveyer chain, it terminating .at the sprocket wheels 18 and 19. With this construction, the rail will operate to close and to maintain the holders in closed condition only while these holders are; at the upper stretch of the conveyer chain, the pivoted member 23 of each holder being free at other times to swing into open position relatively to the cooperating member 21 of the holder as'the holders pass around the sprocket wheel 18 to receive the packages. As each holder reaches a predetermined position in the travel of the conveyer chain around the sprocket-wheel 18, it receives package from the magazine. One of the holders is shown in package-receiving position in Fig. 3. The means for removing the packages successively from the magazine and introducing them intothe holders on the conveyer, chain comprises, in the present instance, a slide 28 which is guided to re'- ciprocatetransverselv of the bottom. of the magazine, the base 16v beingprovided with a channel 29 to' accommodate the reciprocating slide, and to provide a seat upon which the lowermost package in the magazine rests when the slide is retracted. The. slide is of a, height'slightly less than the thickness or vertical dimension of-the package andhence when the slide advances it'pushes the lowermost package from beneath the pile of packages in the magazine while the remaining packages in the magazine rest upon the top of the slide. Retraction of the slide 'permits the lowermost package to drop upon the bottom of the channel 29 in front of the slide and in readiness to be ejected uponthe next forward stroke of the slide. In the construction shown, the package holders on the conveyer are successively brought into alinement with the channel 29 through which the packages are ejected from the magazine, the package holders when brought to this point being in open condi: tion, and the slide in operating to remove a package from the magazine serves also to introduce this package into the holder on the conveyer which is, positioned to receive it. The flanges 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the magazine are suitably cut away at the bottom to permit operation of the slide 28 and removal" of the packages one at a time in the magazine. .Any. suitable meansmay be provided for reciprocating the packageejecting slide 28 at appropriate intervals.

As shown, an arm 30 ,is provided which is operatively connected to the slide at 31 and is pivoted at 32 to a support 33,the arm 30 beingconnectedby a rod 34 to an arm 35,

the latter being pivoted at 36 to the frameposition to the upper stretch of the chain, the respective rollers for the package holders riding on the rail 25 and the holders being thereby held in closedposition. During the travel of the holders along the upper stretch, the stamps or labels may be applied by any suitable devices such, for example, as those shown in the patent above referred to, or any other desired operations may be performed with relation to the packages. Just before the package holders reach the sprocket wheel 19 at the opposite end of the conveyer and while each package holder is held in closed position. the package is ejected from the holder. The ejecting operation is effected preferably by an edgewise movement of the package wh ch carries the packa e laterally or to one side of the conveyer, and, in the present construction. the ejected packages are received successively by a second conveyer or carrier which advances the packages. Preferably, and as shown, an ejector 41 is provided which is carried by an arm 42, the latter being pivoted to the frame 17 at 43, and swinging motion of the arm causes the ejector to reciprocate laterally through the space between the members 21 and 23 composing the package holder which is in ejecting position. It is to be understood that each step in the movement of the conveyer brings one of the package holders into ejecting position, that is, in a position where the ejector 41 may operate between the sides of the package holder. Any suitable means may be provided for reciprocating the ejector at appropriate intervals. As shown, a cam 44 isprovided, this cam being mounted on an operating shaft 45 and having a groove of appropriate form to receive a roller or projection 46, the latter being carried by a slide 47 the latter being operatively connected at 48 to the arm 42.

At the ejecting end of the carrier is provided a table 49 which is supported on'a suitable frame 50. This table is provided at a point opposite to the ejector 41 with a package receiver 51, this package receiver having walls 52 forming between them a passageway wh ch conforms substantially to the thickness of the package. The passageway between the walls 52 of the receiver is in alinement with the ejector 41 and with each package holder of he first conveyer as such package holder is brought to the ejecting position. The ejector 41 operates upon the package in the holder on the first conveyer to push the package from the holder through the passage between the walls 52 and into the receiver'51. the package being shifted in a direction laterally of the first conveyer and by a movement edgewise of the package. the package, however. remaining in upright position during ejection. The receiver 51 has walls 53 which extend in a direction longitudinally of the table 49 and provide a passageway through which the packages may advance. Where the invention is applied to a machine for applying stamps or labels across the tops of the packages, the packages when removed by the ejector 41 from the first conveyer have the stamps extending across the tops and the ends of the stamps engaging the sides of the packages. The present invention provides devices for afiixing or insuring the permanent adherence of the stamp ends to the sides of the packages, the stamped packages being advanced during these operations by a second conveyer or carrier. In order to facilitate these operations, the packages are turned over from an upright position into a reclining position and the packages are then advanced, withthe stamped end first, by the second conveyer or carrier. The device shown in the present instance for turning over the packages from an upright to a reclining position comprises a platen 54 which is pivoted at 55 to a stationary bracket or support 56 secured to thetable 49, the platen being provided at the rear with a support 57 having an inclined slot 58 therein, and a reciprocatory operating slide 59 is provided which is connected to the platen by a pivot pin 60 which operates in the inclined slot 58. The slide operates in a guide 61 which may be secured to a bracket 62 on the frame 17, and the slide may be reciprocated at appropriate intervals by a cam 63 having a cam groove of appropriate form in which a roller or projection 64 on the slide operates. The platen 54 during the operation of the ejector 41 is in a retracted position relatively to the receiver 51. After a package has been introduced into the receiver and in front of the platen 54, the slide 59 moves toward the left in Fig. 2, causing the platen 54 to rock on its pivot 55. The platen acting on the .fiat side of the package turns the same from an uprightposition to a reclining position, as shown in Fig. 13. In order toaccommodate the ears (1 projecting from the bottom of the package, the bottom of the receiver 51 is formed with grooves or recesses 65. In order that the ends of the stamp e on the packages may remain undisturbed on the sides of the packages as the latter areturned down upon their flat sides in the receiver, the sidewalls of the receiver are formed with oifset portions '53 which widen the receiver at the points where the stamped ends of the packages come. thereby avoiding contact of the side walls of the receiver with the stamped ends of the packages.

Different means may be provided for affixing or insuring the permanent adherence of the ends of the stamps on the packages. In the present instance, a pair of brushes 66 are provided on the table 49, bristle brushes being preferable, and these brushes form a passageway between them and through which passageway the packages are advanced with their stamped ends foremost. The brushes operate upon the ends of the stamps to smooth them and to insure intimate engagement between the stamp ends and the packages. Beyond the brushes are also provided means for drying the adhesive which secures the stamps to the packages. A pair of electrical heaters 67 are shown,

these heaters forming a passageway between them through which the packages are advanced after the same have been acted upon by the brushes. In handling relatively soft packages, it is desirable to rovide means for confining the flat sides of t is packages while the stamp-afiixing devices bear or operate upon the narrow sides of the package. In the present instance, a pressure bar 68 overlies the passageways formed between the brushes and the heaters, this pressure bar being spaced a suitable distance above the top of the table and bearing upon the upper flat sides of the packages This pressure bar may be removably held in position by a suitable number of bridge, pieces 69 which span the brushes or the heaters. It is also preferable that a yielding pressure be exerted by the bar or plate 68 on the upper flat sides of the packages. To this end, compression springs 70 operate upon the bridge pieces 69 tending to hold the pressure bar 68 down upon the packages, although permitting the pressure bar to rise slightly, should such become necessary, in order to permit passage of the packages.

A carrier or second conveyer is provided for advancing the packages relatively to the brushes and heating or drying devices. This carrier or second conveyer comprises, in the construction shown, a. chain 71 which passes over sprocket wheels 72 and 73, and the chain carries suitably spaced projections or followers 74 adapted to engage the bottoms of the packages and to thus advance the packages with their stamped ends foremost. To support the upper stretch of the carrier chain, a plate 75 is secured to the under side of the table 49, and to permit the packageadvancing followers 74 to engage the packages resting on the-top of the table, the latter is formed with a longitudinal slot 76 throu h which the followers or projections extend.

The package holders on the first conveyer may be and preferably are spaced more closely than those on the second conveyer or carrier, the upright position of the packages on the first conveyer permitting closer spacing of the package holders than is the case with the second convever where the packages are turned so as to lie on their flat sides. It is therefore desirable that the second conveyer should travel at a greater speed than the speed of movement of the first conveyer in order that the packages may be advanced at the same rate through the machine. notwithstanding the change in position of the packages. Different means may be provided for operating the two conveyers at a proper relative speed. An example of a driving means for the second conveyer is shown in the present instance, it comprising a sprocket wheel 77 which is fixed to the shaft 20 which drives the first conveyor. a chain 78 cooperates with the sprocket wheel 77, the shaft 79 on which the second conveyer sprocket wheel 73 is mounted has fixed thereon a sprocket wheel 80 which is proportionately smaller than the sprocket wheel 77 in order to afford the proper increase in speed, the sprocket wheel 73 for the second conveyer chain is fixed to the shaft 79. and the sprocket wheel 72 for the second conveyer chain is loosely mounted on the shaft 20. With this arrangement, the second conveyer will be driven from the sprocket wheel 73, the sprocket wheel 72 acting as an idler, and by reason of the operating connection provided between the second conveyer and the first conveyer, these two conveyers will be operated at properly timed intervals and with the proper relative speeds.

After the packages have passed the stamp or label-affixing devices, they are ejected from the second conveyer and may be received in a stacking device or any other device which collects or assembles them for packing in shipping cases or cartons. Preferably, and as shown, a downwardly curved support 81 is provided at the discharge end of the table 49 and serves as a continuation of the top surface of the table to support the packag s as they pass over the sprocket wheel 73. A shield or guard 82 is also prefera ly provided at the discharge end of the table. it cooperating with the support 81 as a-deflector. and chute through which the stam ed packages discharge from the econd conveyor into the stacking or collecting and assembling device. As the packages reach a predetermined position in their travel around the curved support 81. gravity will cause the packages to drop. with their stamped ends foremost, away from the followers 74 and they will come to rest on a fo t 83 a h package-receiving end of a table 84. This foot 83 preferably has an inclined sur ac 85 which is at an angle to correspond to an engage flatwise with the stamped top of the packa e as the latter desce ds through the guard 82. A plate 86 is pro i ed to sunport the package as it reaches the bot m of the chute. and th pl te. as s own in Fig. 16. has an opening 87 therein through which a platen 88 reciprocates. The platen 88 ser s to advance the packages in a row on the table 84, the W'CkflL'Gs being ncce si elv received by the platen as th v d c nd thron' the guard 89. and itooerates automat cal to turn them from an inclined into an upright position. As shown, the platen 88 is pivotally connected at 89 to a reciprocatory operating member 90, which member may be connected at 91 to the arm 35 whereby the cam 39 may impart the neces ary movements thereto. The platen 88, when in retracted position, is inclined at an angle corresponding to the inclination of the package resting on the surface 85. To adjust the inclination of the platen 88, an adjustable stop 92 may be provided, a set-screw being shown which is carried by the member 90, the end of the set-screw abutting against the platen. To normally hold the platen 88 in inclined position when retracted, a tension spring 93 isprovided, this spring being shown attached at one end to the platen and at its opposite end to a part of the member 90 whereby the platen will be'n'ormally held in engagement with the stop 92. As the platen 88 moves forward by reason of reciprocation of the member 90. it engages the adjacent fiat side of the package and pushes the same up the inclined surface 85. This movement continues until the lower end of the platen encounters a stop 91. The stop 91 acting on the platen 88 at a point below its pivot 89 causes the platen to swing from an inclined into an upright position as the forward movement of the platen continues and, in consequence. the package which is being advanced by the platen will be swung from an inclined into an upright position. The stop 91 is shown adjustable along a slotted supporting plate 95. In order to retain each package after it has been brought to an upright position by the platen 88, a spring or equivalent member 96 is arranged in a position to bear upon the bottom of the package which at this time is upturned. As each package is brought to a position beneath the retaining spring 96, it advances the packages in the row ahead of it. The table 8 1 is provided with a pair of parallel rails 97 forming a trough or runway in which the finished packages are assembled and collected in a row, the packages being then removed in any suitable way from this trough or runwav for packing or other purposes.

Figs. 19-29 inclusive show mechanism for handling packages of a difierent form and wherein labels or stamps are applied across one of the flat sides of the package with the ends of the stamp or label engaging the ends of the package. For example, the packages may be in the form of wrappers, the ends of which are folded to form flaps f and g, the flaps g overlapping the flaps 7. 1n this embodiment of the invention, the packages may be introduced into a magazine which comprises channel-shaped members 98. the packages being contained in the magazine in the form of a stack with the flat sides of the packages resting upon one another. The magazine is supported on a base 99 and the base is formed with a horizontal channel 100 which leads from the bottom of the magazine to a point beneath a plunger 101. A slide 102 is mounted to reciprocate longitudinally of the channel 100, thereby pushing a package fromizhe bottom of the stack in the magazine to a position between the magazine and the plunger, and the package in advance of the one ejected from the magazine is brought beneath the plunger 101. As each package assumes a position beneath the plunger 101, it clears the edge 103 in the bottom of the channel 100, thereby permitting the package to descend to a mechanism that will be next de scribed. In order to arrest the motion of the package as it assumes a position beneath the plunger 101, an abutment 104 may be provided as an end for the channel 100. Any suitable means may be provided for reciprocating the slide 102 at appropriate intervals. For example, it may be operated by an arm 105 mounted on a shaft 106, the latter carrying an arm 107 which is con nected to a bar 108. The bar 108 carries a roller or projection 109 which cooperates with a cam 110 fixed to a suitable operating shaft 111.

The packages are fed successively by the magazine and its ejector to a conveyor which carries holders or pockets for the packages. As shown in this embodiment of the invention, the conveyor comprises an endless chain 112 which passes over sprocket wheels 11? and 114, intermittent or step-by-step movement being imparted to the conveyor through one or the other of the shafts 115 and 116 which support the sprocketwheels. The conveyor chain carri s at suitable in tervals thereon package holders which, in the form shown. have relatively fixed bottom and side walls, the package holders being of a form to receive the packages fiatwise and confining the packages on the lower flat side, two of the narrow sides, and partially inclosing the package at the ends. As shown, each packageholder 117 has a slot or opening 118 in opposite walls thereof to leave exposed portions of the ends'of the package.

The step-by-step movement of the conveyer brings each package holder successively into a position beneath the plunger 101, and after a package has been introduced beneath this plunger by the slide 102, the plunger descends, thereby introducing a package into the appropriate pa'kage holder positioned beneath it. During the advancement of the packages by the conveyor, stamps or labels may be applied thereto by any suitable means such, for example. as the means shown in the application hereinbefore referred to. In using package holdersof this type, the stamps or labels are applied to the upper flat sides and the ends of the packages, and the pressure incident to the application of the stamps is sustained at the bottom, sides and ends of the package by the holder which incloses or confines the patkage at these points.

Any suitable means may be provided for reciprocating the plunger 101 at appropriate intervals. As shown in Figs. 19 and 20, this plunger has a stem or slide 119 which is slidab e vertically in a guide 120 supported on the frame of the machine. A lever 121 is pivoted at 122- and cooperates at one end with the stem or slide 119 of the plunger, and its opposite end is connected to a bar 123, the latter carrying av roller or projection 124: which cooperates with acam 125, the latter being fixed to a suitable operating shaft 126. i

As the package holders on the conveyer pass around the sprocket wheel 1.14, the packages are carried from a horizontal position to a position where they stand edgnvise or upon one of their narrow sides. As each package holder passes approximately. half way around the sprocket wheel 114, the package is ejected therefrom onto a table 127. Different means may be provided for ejecting the packages-from their holders on the conveyer. As shown, an ejector is employed which comprises a pair of ejecting fingers 128 which are adapted to operate through openings 129 formed in the bottom of each package holder, these ejecting fingers operating to push the package from each package holder onto the table 127 where the package rests upon one of its narrow sides. The ejecting fingers may be operated by any suitable means. As shown, they are carried by arms 130, which arms are pivoted at 131 upon a part of the frame of the machine,-and these arms receive a to-and-fro or swinging motion from a bar 132 which carries a roller or project-ion 133 which latter cooperates with a cam 134 on a suitably operated shaft 135.

Where stamps or labels are applied to the packages in the manner described, the table 127 may be provided with means for affixing the ends of the stamps or labels to the package. As shown, the table 127 is provided with a pair of bristle brushes 136 which are secured to the top of the table in parallelism.' or substantially so. andform a passage-way between them through which the packages are advanced. The packages are assembled on the table 127 in a-- row between the brushes with the brushes in position to operate upon the ends of the stamps on the packages. and the transfer of each package froin the conveyor onto the table causes the row of packages between the brushes to be advanced a step. The action of the brushes is to smooth and insure permanent adhesion of the stamps on the packages, it being observed that the packages are advanced with the stamped sidc foremost and that the action of the brushes on the ends of the stamps tends to draw the stamps tightly across the paikages. .\t'ter the stamped packages have passed between the brushes or equivalent stamp-athxing devices, they are ready to be packed for shipment or otherwise handled as may be desired.

In those cases where the girth of the package relatively to the length of the stamp or label is such that the stamp or label will extend across one face. down the two sides, and project beyond the sides of the packag it is desirable to avoid cutting the body or printed portion. of the stamp or label to overcome this objetion. The present invention provides means adapted to be used in such cases to tuck the ends of the stamp or label which project beyond the sides of the package against the opposite face of the package, and where adhesive is employed to s cure the stamp or label to the package, these ends of the stamp or label will firml y adhere to the package.

I claim as my invention 1. In a machine for handling packages. thecombination of a conveyor having opentopped holders operative to advance the packages, means for feeding packages successively to the open tops of the holders on the conveyer while the packages are supported on one dimension thereof. and a tiltable platen cooperative with a side of each package to bring it. into a position where it is supported on another dimension thereof and to be so advanced by the vconveyer.

2. In a machine for hand-ling packages. the combination of a conveyor for advancing the packages. a receiver for positioning the packages relatively to the conveyer, means for introducing packages to the receiver while the packages are in-upright position, and means operative to turn the packages upon a side thereof insaid receiver preparatory to the advancement thereof by the conveyer.

3. In a machine for handling packages.

thecombination of a conveyer for advancing the packages, a receiver for positioning the packages relatively to the conveyer. the

re eiver having one portion thereof of a width corresponding to the width of the packages and another portion which is relatively widened. means for introducing packages to the re eiver while the packages are in upright. position. and means for turning the packages on one side in the receiver. the upper part of the pa kage being contained in the widened portion of the receiver.

4. In a machine for handling packages,

the combination of a conveyer adapted to advance relatively narrow packages in upright position, a second conveyer adapted to advance the packages while the latter lie on a relatively long side. a package end engaging plunger for shifting the packages edgeivise from the first to the second convcyer. and a plunger for engaging one of the sides of the packages for turning the latter over from an upright to a horizontal position preparatory to their advancement by the second conveyer.

5. In a machine for handling packages, the combination of a conveyer adapted to advance relatively flat packages in the direction of the narrow dimension thereof. a second conveyer adapted to advance such packages in the direction of a relatively longer dimension thereof. a package end engaging plunger for ejecting the packages in an edgeivise direction from the first conveyer, a plunger for directly engaging and turning the pa kages over and introducing them into the second conveyer. and means for operating the second conveyor at a greater speed than that of the first conveyer.

6. In a machine for handling packages. the combination of a conveyer adapted to advance relatively fiat packages in the direction of the narrow dimension thereof. a second conveyer adapted to advance such packages in the direction of a relatively longer dimension thereof, means for transferring the packages from the first conveyer to the second conveyor, and means including a tiltable reciprocatory platen for receiving the transferred packages and altering their position preparatory to their advancement by the second conveyor.

7. In a machine for handling packages. the combination of a conveyer adapted to advance relatively fiat packages in the direction of the narrow dimension thereof. a se ond conveyer adapted to advance such packages in the direction of a relatively longer dimension thereof. means for transferring the packages in a direction laterally from the first conveyer to the second conveyor, and means including a reciprocatory platen for turning the transferred packages fiatwise preparatory to the advancement thereof by the second conveyer.

8. In a machine for handling packages, the combination of a conveyer carrying package holders. each open at the top and opposite sides. means operative successively through the open sides of the holders for cjecting the packages therefrom, means for turning the packages so ejected. and a second conveyor for advancing the turned packages.

5). In a machine for handling packages, the combination of a conveyor carrying package holders, each open at the top and opposite sides, means operative successively through the open sides of the holders for ejecting the packages therefrom, a second conveyer for advancing the packages. and means for receiving the packagesejected from the first conveyor and operative .to turn them upon another dimension and thus positioning them for advancement by the second conveyor.

10. In a machine embodying means for atiixing stamps or labels to receptacles, the combination of a conveyer for positioning the receptacles in upright position for the application of the stamps or labels thereto, a second conveyer operative to advance the receptacles relatively to the aflixing means with the stamped or labeled ends thereof foremost, a plunger for transferring the stamped or labeled receptacles from the first to the second conveyer, and a plunger for directly engaging and turning the packages from an upright to a horizontal position and introducing the packages into the second conveyer, the two plungers being disposed and operating in planes at right angles to each other.

11. In a machine for handling packages, the combination of a conveyer for advancing the packages and having a pulley over which the conveyer passes, an inclined chute adjacent to the pulley to receive the pack ages from the conveyer as the latter passes around the pulley. and means embodying an automatically tiltable reciprocating platen which changes its position during its reciprocation and operative to set the packages in an upright position.

12. In a machine for handling packages,

the combination of a conveyer for advancing the packages and having a pulley over which the conveyer passes, an inclined chute adjacent to the pulley to receive the packages from the conveyor as the latter passes around the pulley, and means embodying a pivotally mounted automatically tiltable platen having reciprocating means to move it toward and away from the packages and operative to remove the packages from the chute and to set them in upright position.

13. In a machine for handling packages, the combination of a conveyor for advancing the packages, a chute to receive the packages from the conveyor, a runway in which the packages are adapted to be assembled in a row. means embodying a tiltable platen reciprocatorv relatively to the runway for setting the packages from the conveyor into upright position and intro ducing them into the. runway and a table for receiving the pt'ickages from the chute. the platen being tilted by engaging the foot of the table.

14. In a machine for handling packages, the combination of a, conveyer for advanctable to swing the same into upright posi- 10 tion during the reciprocation thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDWARD L. BRACY. Witnesses:

BEVERLY W. SMITH, CLARA O. FISHER. 

